The bustling crowds across the port kept Ruby moving more than she would have liked. Trying to find the right ship was proving difficult when three other ships were boarding. Trying to keep close to Alison and Jasper had been impossible.
“Ruby over here” A powerful voice cut through the port rumble. Rising on her toes Ruby was able to make out the brown hair of her best friend Alison jumping in the crowd. She was pointing towards the smallest ship along the port. Ruby weaved her way between passengers, carefully avoiding contact until she was in arms reach of her friend
“Where’s Jasper?” Ruby asked, searching the crowd for his tall stature.
“I sent him to get a print” Alison said with a wave towards the stores, “We saw Ace is in the headline today”
“He’s in the headline every other day” Ruby rolled her eyes “you shouldn’t have let him go on his own. We don’t know the layout, what if he gets lost?”
“Its within eyesight stop worrying” she patted her friend’s shoulder “Focus on the first step towards the rest of our lives”
She gestured to the boat in front of them which had its name written on its side in a deep green paint; Storming Jasmine. It was not as large as a merchant ship but was big enough to carry the students on the few hour journey to New Age Academy.
“I thought it’d be bigger,” Alison said with a frown.
“It’s only for a short journey, they don’t need more than a few waiting areas,” Ruby said, her gaze sweeping the ship trying to see any cracks or holes. The ship looked in better shape than the others around it, the wood looked sturdy and sealed together. It had probably been built in the last year for this precise purpose.
“We’re going to the most prestigious academy in the world!” her friend exclaimed “I thought we’d ride in luxury”
“It is not the most prestigious academy in the world” Ruby chided “It’s barely been around five years”
“But it is the leading school for auracraft” Alison countered
“It’s the first school for auracraft” Ruby said with little force.
Auracraft was a new magic only seen in the last few decades, there had barely been time to fully study the phenomenon. Let alone build a school dedicated to educating others about it. New Age Academy however had been built directly to teach people to utilize their auras.
“I got it!” a cheerful voice cut through the crowd’s dull roar.
The girls turned to see a tall fit man with messy brown hair that fell across his blue eyes. Ruby’s younger brother Jasper was walking swiftly towards them. He cheerfully held up a thick yellow board to show the girl the black writing on its side.
Ace saves City of Stars from wild Hemlock Ent. Replaces damaged gardens with gorgeous pink petaled Trees.
Below the headline in smaller print was a description of the damages done by the Ent as well as the names of those killed.
“Can you imagine growing trees on a whim” Jasper beamed “I hope they teach us that at the academy”
“I’m pretty sure that’s one of his auras” Alison sighed
“Pretty sure?” Ruby teased “With how much you read about him I thought you’d have figured out his aura”
“That’s easier said than done” Alison argued “Ace has mastery over ten auras. Just reading news stories doesn’t give me enough”
“Ten auras?” Ruby asked with a disbelieving tone “That seems a little exaggerated don't you think? Maybe the writers aren’t very reliable”
“That’s not from the news its from Sayer” her friend sassed “He’s told me about four of them already”
“This Sayer is an Ace expert?” Jasper questioned
“You could say that” Alison chuckled “They fought in the Moon civil war and then started attending the academy together”
“I didn’t know he was in the war” Jasper gasped
“Sayer joined as soon as he was of age” Alison nodded
“Not him, Ace!” he rolled his eyes “So he’s a prodigy of magic and a trained soldier?”
“Rich too! The total package”
“Wait Jasper” Ruby suddenly realized “What happened to your friend?”
“Mica?” her brother seemed to just remember his existence “He wanted to run an errand. Said he’ll see me on the boat”
“He better hurry. The ship leaves at the end of the hour” Ruby said “We better get on ourselves”
“Greetings shining stars of the Rolling Storms Kingdom!” A melodious voice rang across the deck. Everyone onboard stopped their conversations mid sentence and turned to the front of the boat. Standing on the landing above the deck was a young woman with chestnut hair flowing in the sea breeze. On either side of her stood tall muscular men in leather armor.
“I am so pleased you all could be here for such a momentous day” she continued “I am Princess Jasmine, heir of this glorious nation and a student of New Age Academy like you. My father, our benevolent king, sees the potential each of you has to offer. The voyage here today is a testament to his belief that you are the future leaders of our nation. Our numbers may be more selective at this time but that is naught but an opportunity. An opportunity for us to set ablaze a golden standard for our kingdom. Our people have lived with the elements for generations on these lands blessed by the Godbeasts! Let us carry on the resilience, kindness, and determination our ancestors used to build our beautiful nation. Go forth with unwavering spirit, curiosity, and empathy. May your academic journey be filled with enrichment and joy.”
This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
As the princess concluded her speech, the two men standing next to her began to clap. This broke the crowd’s enrapture and the students began applauding. The princess gave a regal bow before stepping away with her guards.
Ruby watched her leave with a strange feeling in her gut, the speech had been inspiring but the way she couldn’t think during it was upsetting.
“That had to be magic right?” Jasper asked as the applause died down “I could barely think while she was talking”
“That’s her aura” Alison said with a bitter smile “When she speaks your mind can’t do anything but listen”
“You met her?” Ruby questioned
“Not personally. Sayer was working with her last season when we met. That was him standing on her left”
“See that’s how I knew something was up” Jasper nodded sagely “I barely registered two muscled up men in front of me. Over a woman? Has to be magic”
Ruby tried to look again to get a glimpse at the mysterious man her best friend had become love sick over. However they had already retreated from their vantage point.
“Sayer!” Alison’s sudden shout saved Ruby from continuing her search.
Her friend was waving to a tall muscular man approaching with a cocky grin. Once he was closer Alison ran forward and embraced the man, the two kissing passionately.
“Oh wow” Jasper laughed at the sudden display
The two embraced for a moment before breaking apart to breathe.
“It's a pleasure to meet you both” Sayer said, shaking the siblings hands “Alison has told me so much about you”
“I wouldn’t consider her a reliable source” Jasper jokes “Don’t judge me till you get to know me”
“Hold it!” a rough voice shouted, breaking the conversation.
Turning Ruby saw two men in leather armor approaching, their gaze set on Sayer.
“Didn’t you see the rules” one said as they neared and pointed at the long sword Sayer had strapped to him “No weapons allowed on the top deck”
“It’s not an actual sword” Sayer argued and drew the blade. It looked like an actual sword with a curved blade to Ruby save for the strange orange metal it was made from. The metal didn’t shine in the sunlight and the handle looked to be made of the same substance.
“It’s his focus,” Alison said with a roll of her eyes.
“Regardless, it's not allowed out here” the guard tried to protest.
“Take it easy there” suddenly another voice rang out.
Approaching the group was Princess Jasmine and her spiky haired guard.
“That man is a member of the Advanced Class” the man with spiky black hair stated “He’s allowed to carry his weapon”
“Advanced Class” the guard said with new respect and stepped away bowing.
“I apologize” he added urgently “I had no idea and was just following orders”
“No problems man” Sayer said with a chuckle
The two guards thanked him once more and quickly returned to their patrol, leaving the group with the princess and her personal guard.
“Honestly Sayer” the princess’ guard shook his head “Must you cause a scene everywhere you go? And for what? These guys don’t have the coin to hire your services”
“Well when you go through life looking like this” Sayer struck a provocative pose “People can’t help but notice you”
“And we have no need for his services” Alison cut in, glaring at the guard “I’m more than enough”
Sayer nodded and beamed at her words.
“Is this the Alison we’ve heard so much about?” Jasmine asked. Her voice was still melodious but did not enrapture like her speech.
“This is! This is Alison, her best friend Ruby and Ruby’s younger brother Jasper. Everyone this is Princess Jasmine and her guard Blue”
“It's a pleasure to meet you all” Jasmine gave a serene smile “It warms my heart to see so many lively citizens entering the academy”
“Thank you” Alison bowed stiffly, her movement rough “I can’t wait to show you my power”
“Oh a lively one you are” the princess laughed like bird song
She turned to Sayer with sparkling eyes “To be honest I was so sad to hear you and Ace were no longer together. But now i’m seeing you found someone even more perfect for you”
Sayer’s smile thinned at her words but laughed it off “Well you know how relationships can be”
“Wait Ace?” Jasper cut in, pulling out the news print “This Ace?”
Sayer looked at the print with clear distaste.
“Oh there’s only one Ace,” the princess giggled once more.
“You dated The Ace” Jasper gawked at the revelation.
Ruby looked at Alison to see her reaction but this didn’t look like news to her. In fact Alison seemed to be standing taller after the revelation. Looking at her brother Ruby couldn’t imagine how he could be so at ease. They were just kids of vineyard employees standing in the presence of the future ruler of their nation.
“It wasn’t very serious,” Sayer dismissed. “Besides we had ended things long before Alison and I had met. No need to harp on the past”
“The relationship may not have been serious but the two of you made quite an impact on the academy together” Jasmine smiled
“You two basically created the Advanced Class” Blue patted Sayer on the shoulder
“Pardon me” Ruby spoke up “but what is this Advanced Class?”
“You haven’t told her yet” Blue turned on Sayer, his voice filled with mock concern “You didn’t brag? Are you the real Sayer?”
“We just met” the swordsman waved off the guard “And I don’t brag ever. I just share the many fascinating stories I have experienced first hand”
“Ignore those two” Jasmine chuckled, pulling Ruby’s full attention “The Advanced Class are the elite students of the academy, a group that works directly with the instructors to study auracraft. It's pretty new only started last year with Ace and Sayer here”
“It was supposed to just be helping the teachers out in the field” Sayer added “But Ace and I had an easier time than they did. Ace kept recruiting people so it's grown a lot more than expected”
Ruby nodded at the story, intrigued at the idea. Though she couldn't fight the slight doubt she felt when the teachers she would be instructed by were admittedly worse than second year students. What kind of Academy was she attending?
